10 fire safety tips to keep your family safe at home

In 2009, over 3000 Australians were admitted to hospital with fire-related injuries. Knowing how to keep your home fire safe, as well as what to do if a fire does occur, will help you keep your family safe. Here are our top ten fire safety tips at home:

Don’t use baby walkers

Not only do baby walkers enable very young children to get very quickly into perilous situations on stairs and slippery surfaces, but they also allow them to get close to potential fire hazards like heaters, open fires and irons. Think hard about using baby walkers for these reasons and if you do choose to use one, make sure that the area being used is clear of fire hazards at all times.

Check for safety switches

When buying heaters, always choose a model that has an automatic safety switch which will turn the heater off immediately if it is tipped over while it is on.

Only buy non-flammable pyjamas

Most pyjamas for kids are now made of non-flammable fabric – but it is always worth checking on the label before you buy new pjs. It is also worth checking dressing gowns and slippers too to ensure that your littlies are as fire-safe as possible.

Keep cooking fire-safe

With one in three house fires starting in the kitchen, it is important never to leave cooking pots and pans unattended and be sure to turn off all appliances when you have finished cooking. If a fire starts in one of your cooking pots, place a lid over the pot immediately to starve the fire of oxygen.

Oil and water don’t mix

Know how to put out kitchen fires appropriately – water should never be used to put out oil fires as this can actually spread the fire. Always use a fire blanket or fire extinguisher on oil fires.

Know how to put out a fire

Ideally your house is equipped with a fire extinguisher and/or fire blanket to tackle fires quickly before they can really take hold, but it also helps to take the following simple steps:

Stop the spread of fire by closing the door to the room. In some cases this will actually smother the fire by starving the fire of oxygen.

In the case of a kitchen fire, turn off any appliances that may be feeding the fire to slow down the spread.

Keep fire starters out of reach

Fire is fascinating to children, so it is no wonder that many house fires are started accidentally by kids. By keeping all fire starters – matches, lighters, candles – out of reach, you will keep temptation out of little hands. It is best to keep all fire starters together up high and out of sight.

Have a fire plan

Know what to do if a fire starts at home – it only takes a couple of minutes for fire to get out of control, so knowing what you have to do in the case of a fire emergency is really important. Make sure you have a fire escape plan and everyone understands and can follow it.

With children in the house, it is important to practice with a fire drill a couple of times a year so they remember what to do. Ideally, you will have a Plan B as well – in case obvious exit points are blocked by fire. Teach them to follow the fire escape plan alone so they can help themselves if you are prevented from getting them to safety. Arrange a meeting point at a safe distance from the house where you can all gather.

Keep your heaters clear of clutter

Electric and gas heaters can easily cause fires if they are not kept in an area that is free from contact with flammable materials such as curtains, furniture and bedding. Be sure to teach your children to always keep themselves, as well as potential fire hazards such as toys and books, well away from heaters at all times.

It is often a good idea – particularly with small children – to create a no-go zone around heaters (using brightly coloured masking tape does the job well) so they are never tempted to creep in closer to the heater than is safe.

Use and check smoke alarms

Ensure your home is fitted out with smoke alarms in or near bedrooms. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the best type of smoke alarm for homes because they quickly detect both flaming and smouldering fires. Smoke detectors should be tested monthly, and if you have battery-operated alarms make a date to change the batteries at least once a year.